Disposable diaper of improved absorbency

ABSTRACT

A disposable diaper of improved absorbency comprising a sheet of absorbent material folded into a multilayered structure in such a manner that a highly improved absorption effect is achieved while at the same time maintaining a garment comfortable to the wearer, and the diaper in combination with a diaper holder specially adapted to receive and hold the same.

Jan. 25, E972 References Cited [54] DISPOSABLE DIAPER OF IMPROVED UNITED STATES PATENTS ABSORBENCY [72] lnventor:

Re.26,5l5 Holliday et 2,681,062 Nichols........ 2,770,237

Horace K. Glasgow, Bayside, N.Y.

[73] Assignees: Frances M. Faibisch, Laurel, Md.; Sandra Glasgow, Queens; Marilyn Pomerantz, Baldwin; Daniel 3,030,956 4/l962 Nichols........

Del Guercio Glasgow, Massapequa; Massapequa, N.Y. part Norman Glasgow, interest to each Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbuum Attorney-Friedman & Goodman 221 Filed: Aug. 28, 1969 Appli No.:

ABSTRACT A disposable diaper of improved absorbency comprising a sheet of absorbent material folded into a multilayered structure in such a manner that a highly improved absorption effect is achieved while at the same time maintaining a garment com- 467 8 8 wm 2 1% 11 M 4 8 2 00 m2 Field ofSearch .ll. ab 55 ll.

fortable to the wearer, and the diaper in combination with a diaper holder specially adapted to receive and hold the same.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED JANZS I972 SHEEI 1 UF 2 INVENTOR.

HORACE K. GLASGOW 7, FIGS.

PAmm-immzsmz 3.63635 SHEU a [1F 2 3s I I G 6.

FIG. 7.

FIG. 8.

INVENTOR.

4O HORACE K. GLASGOW DISPOSABLE DIAPER OF IMPROVED ABSORBENCY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to diapers generally and particularly to those of the disposable type.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are of course many disposable infant diapers on the market. However, most of these suffer from a common defect in that they do not absorb very much moisture, and indeed after very little time on the body of the infant there is a discharge of moisture therefrom. Moreover, even if the diaper is adapted to absorb more liquid it is usually quite lumpy and uncomfortable to wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore among one of the principal objectives of the invention to provide a disposable diaper of improved absorbency and yet one which is comfortable to wear.

In accordance with the invention, there is now provided a disposable diaper having these aforementioned properties comprising an elongated sheet of absorbent material which has been longitudinally folded twice upon itself in alternate manner and then two of the resultant confronting folded layers have been in turn also folded back upon themselves to yield a multilayered structure interposable between the body of the infant wearer and a suitable diaper holder; and the disposable diaper in combination with a diaper holder therefor, said diaper holder being of elongated shape and provided with a pair of parallel longitudinally running bands for removably mounting the diaper thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of the diaper holder showing the inside surface thereof;

FIG. 2 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 except that the disposable diaper of the invention is shown removably mounted thereon;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the diaper partially cut away;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 except the diaper is shown fragmented and cut away and folded according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the initial folds made to form the invention diaper;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 10 is a fragmented view in perspective of the diaper shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the figures in detail, there is shown in FIG. I a diaper holder 10 formed of an elongated sheet of moistureproof material, e.g,, plastic, having a pair of parallel opposing transverse edges I2 and I4 and a pair of parallel opposing longitudinal edges I6 and I8. Intermediate the terminal ends of edges 16 and 18 there is provided a pair of op posing inwardly curved cutouts 20 and 22, respectively, which will accommodate the infant wearers thigh portions. Between the longitudinal edges I6 and I8, in a generally central loca' tion, there is provided a pair of longitudinally oriented, parallel, spaced bands 24 and 26 terminating at, and joined at, the transverse edges 12 and 14, such as by stitching. The holder 10 is adapted to be folded along an imaginary medial fold line 28 when placed on the infant's body and may be provided with conventional locking snaps 30.

Referring now to the remainder of the figures there is shown therein a disposable diaper 32 (hereinafter referred to as diaper) constructed in a manner according to the invention and formed of any convenient absorbent material such as tissue, combed cotton, or the like. The diaper comprises an elongated sheet 34 of the absorbent material, having parallel opposing longitudinal and transverse edges 36, 38, 40 and 42, respectively. The elongated sheet is folded longitudinally between the edges 36 and 38 as follows. In a first step the sheet is folded twice upon itself in alternate fashion inwardly of the edge 38 to form initially three absorbing surfaces 44. 46 and 48 in superposed relationship. Next, the two uppermost superposed surfaces 46 and 48 are folded back upon themselves inwardly and away from edge 38 to form, now, five absorbing surfaces 44, 46, 48, 48 and 46', respectively, also in superposed relationship. The latter five surfaces are now in a generally centrally located position between longitudinal edges 36 and 38.

In another embodiment of the invention, a six-layered diaper 50 is formed by folding at least a portion of the exposed surface portions 44a and 48b of surfaces 44 and 48, respectively, under the previously formed five layered diaper, so that longitudinal edges 36 and 38 are now in confronting, spaced relationship. This diaper 50 has six absorbing surfaces 44a and b, 44, 46, 48, 48 and 46.

The diaper 32 is placed inside the diaper holder I0 by longitudinally positioning band 26 inside the fold 52 formed by surfaces 44 and 46, and band 24 inside the fold 54 formed by surfaces 48 and 48'.

Similarly, the diaper 50 is placed inside the holder I0 by longitudinally positioning band 26 inside the fold 52, formed as described, and band 24 inside the fold 54, also formed as earlier described, except that the two additional portions 440 and 44b folded under surface 44 are placed, respectively, under bands 24 and 26.

Alternatively, but less preferably, the holder It) may be prov vided with only one band over which one of the folds 52 or 54 are fitted.

With an invention diaper thus removably mounted inside the diaper holder 10, approximately one half of the diaper and holder is centrally positioned under the buttocks of the infant, with cutouts 20 and 22 in the general area of the infants upper thighs. The holder is folded medially along fold line 28 to cover the stomach of the infant with the other half, and the snaps 30 are locked into place. There is then available to the infant wearer at least five or more absorbing surfaces in superposed position under him, i.e., 44, 46, 48, 48 and 46' according to one embodiment of the invention, and 44a and b, 44, 46, 48, 48' and 46 according to another embodiment of the invention. This diaper is, then, not only highly moistureretaining but, also, quite comfortable to wear since the folded layers rest smoothly one atop the other. There are no bulky folds or creases as in the prior art.

What is claimed is:

I. A disposable infant diaper of improved absorbency comprising an elongated sheet of absorbent material longitudinally folded upon itself at least twice in alternate folded manner to provide at least three superposed layers "to define first longitudinal opening means, at least two of the resultant confronting folded layers being folded back upon themselves to define second longitudinal opening means and to provide a multilayered diaper structure positionable in absorbent disposition on the body of an infant, at least one of said first and second opening means removably receiving holding means to retain said diaper against the body of the infant, said first opening means facing in one direction with said second opening means facing in an opposite direction for removably mounting said diaper to the holding means.

2. A diaper according to claim I, wherein said multilayered diaper structure consists of a five-layered structure.

3. A diaper according to claim I, wherein said multilayered diaper structure includes a pair of longitudinal parallel opposing edges having contiguous therewith a portion of said sheet in unlayered condition, at least a portion of said unlayered sheet being folded under said multilayered structure so that at least an additional layer is formed thereby.

4. A diaper according to claim 3, wherein said opposing longitudinal edges are in confronting spaced relationship.

5. In combination, a disposable infant diaper and a holder therefor, said diaper comprising an elongated sheet of absorbent material longitudinally folded upon itself at least twice in alternate folded manner and at least two of the resultant confronting folded layers being in turn also folded back upon themselves to yield a multilayered diaper structure interposable between the body of the infant wearer and said holder, said holder comprising an elongated sheet of moistureproof material adapted to removably mount said diaper by means of at least one longitudinally oriented band secured to said holder, said band being longitudinally placed inside one of said folds of said diapcr to mount the same to said holder.

6. A combination according to claim 5, wherein said multilayered diaper structure consists ofa five-layered structure.

7. A diaper according to claim 3, wherein said multilayered diaper structure consists of a six-layered structure.

8. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of absorbent material is longitudinally folded upon itselftwice in alternate folded manner to form three superposed layers and wherein two of the resultant confronting folded layers are in turn also folded back upon themselves to yield a multilayercd diaper structure consisting of five layers. 

1. A disposable infant diaper of improved absorbency comprising an elongated sheet of absorbent material longitudinally folded upon itself at least twice in alternate folded manner to provide at least three superposed layers to define first longitudinal opening means, at least two of the resultant confronting folded layers being folded back upon themselves to define second longitudinal opening means and to provide a multilayered diaper structure positionable in absorbent disposition on the body of an infant, at least one of said first and second opening means removably receiving holding means to retain said diaper against the body of the infant, said first opening means facing in one direction with said second opening means facing in an opposite direction for removably mounting said diaper to the holding means.
 2. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein said multilayered diaper structure consists of a five-layered structure.
 3. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein said multilayered diaper structure includes a pair of longitudinal parallel opposing edges having contiguous therewith a portion of said sheet in unlayered condition, at least a portion of said unlayered sheet being folded under said multilayered structure so that at least an additional layer is formed thereby.
 4. A diaper according to claim 3, wherein said opposing longitudinal edges are in confronting spaced relationship.
 5. In combination, a disposable infant diaper and a holder therefor, said diaper comprising an elongated sheet of absorbent material longitudinally folded upon itself at least twice in alternate folded manner and at least two of the resultant confronting folded layers being in turn also folded back upon themselves to yield a multilayered diaper structure interposable between the body of the infant wearer and said holder, said holder comprising an elongated sheet of moistureproof material adapted to removably mount said diaper by means of at least one longitudinally oriented band secured to said holder, said band being longitudinally placed inside one of said folds of said diaper to mount the same to said holder.
 6. A combination according to claim 5, wherein said multilayered diaper structure consists of a five-layered structure.
 7. A diaper according to claim 3, wherein said multilayered diaper structure consists of a six-layered structure.
 8. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of absorbent material is longitudinally folded upon itself twice in alternate folded manner to form three superposed layers and wherein two of the resultant confronting folded layers are in turn also folded back upon themselves to yield a multilayered diaper structure consisting of five layers. 